North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

SB 251 — Bail Bondsmen Revisions.-AB

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 06, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 16% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    0 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

19 added · 20 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of Senate Bill 251, the renewal period for bail bondsman supervision has been extended from 12 months to 24 months. This change means that bail bondsmen will have a longer timeframe to meet their renewal requirements, potentially easing the administrative burden on both the bondsmen and the regulatory body. Additionally, it clarifies the conditions under which the Commissioner can take action against licensees, which may help improve oversight and accountability in the industry. Overall, these adjustments aim to streamline the licensing process while ensuring continued regulatory oversight.

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FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Mar 6, 2025 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 S 1 SENATE BILL 251 Short Title:
251 SESSION 2025 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS15106-NE-62 Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT REVISING THE LAWS RELATED TO BAIL BONDSMEN, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE.
Rules and Operations of the Senate March 10, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT REVISING THE LAWS RELATED TO BAIL BONDSMEN, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE.
*DRS15106-NE-62* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4b) Direct supervision.
*S251-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4b) Direct supervision.
If the licensee will continue to be employed by or contract with the supervising bail bondsman beyond the initial 12-month 24-month period, the supervising bail bondsman shall continue to supervise and be responsible for the licensee's acts.
If the licensee will continue to be employed by or contract with the supervising bail bondsman beyond the initial 12-month 24-month period, the supervisingbail bondsman shall continue to supervise and be responsible for the licensee's acts.
(e) Provided all other licensing requirements are met, an applicant for a bail bondsman or runner's license who has previously been licensed with the Commissioner for a period of at least 18 consecutive months and who has been inactive or unlicensed for a period of not more than three consecutive years shall not be deemed a new licensee for purposes of this section." Page 2 DRS15106-NE-62 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 2.(c) Article 71 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
(e) Provided all other licensing requirements are met, an applicant for a bail bondsman or runner's license who has previously been licensed with the Commissioner for a period of at least 18 consecutive months and who has been inactive or unlicensed for a period of not more than three consecutive years shall not be deemed a new licensee for purposes of this section." Page 2 Senate Bill 251-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 2.(c) Article 71 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
(1) No later than May 31 of each year, a renewal application on a form prescribed by the Commissioner.
(1) No later than May31 of each year, a renewal application on a form prescribed by the Commissioner.
(2) Nolaterthanthefifth business dayofeachmonth,a recordofeachprovisional licensee supervised by the supervising bail bondsman.
(2) Nolaterthanthefifth business dayof eachmonth,a recordofeachprovisional licensee supervised by the supervising bail bondsman.
(a) The Commissioner may deny, place on probation, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew any license issued under this Article, in accordance with the provisions of Article 3A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes, for any one or more of the following causes:
(a) The Commissioner maydeny, place on probation, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew any license issued under this Article, in accordance with the provisions of Article 3A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes, for any one or more of the following causes:
… DRS15106-NE-62 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b3) For the purposes of this section, a conviction includes an adjudication of guilt, a plea of guilty, and a plea of nolo contendere.
… Senate Bill 251-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b3) For the purposes of this section, a conviction includes an adjudication of guilt, a plea of guilty, and a plea of nolo contendere.
(c) In the case of a first-year provisional licensee whose employment or contract is terminatedprior to the end ofthe 12-month 24-month supervisory period,theCommissionermay consider all information provided in writing by the supervising bail bondsman in determining whether sufficient cause exists to suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license or to warrant criminal prosecution of the first-year provisional licensee.
(c) In the case of a first-year provisional licensee whose employment or contract is terminatedprior to the end ofthe 12-month 24-month supervisoryperiod,theCommissionermay consider all information provided in writing by the supervising bail bondsman in determining whether sufficient cause exists to suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license or to warrant criminal prosecution of the first-year provisional licensee.
No licensee shall participate in or solicit assistance in securing custody of a principal by another not licensed under this Article.
No licensee shall participate in or solicit assistance in securing custodyof a principal by another not licensed under this Article.
The physical location used as the official business address must comply with all local or municipal zoning ordinances and regulations.
The physical location used as the official business address must complywith all local or municipal zoning ordinances and regulations.
Page 4 DRS15106-NE-62 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 … (b) Qualifications.
Page 4 Senate Bill 251-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 … (b) Qualifications.
… (8) Hold a valid and current North Carolina drivers license or valid North Carolina identificatiocard issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.Vehicles and comply with all motor vehicle financial responsibility requirements pursuant to G.S.
… (8) Hold a valid and current North Carolina drivers license or valid North Carolina identification card issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.Vehicles and comply with all motor vehicle financial responsibility requirements pursuant to G.S.
DRS15106-NE-62 Page 5
Senate Bill 251-First Edition Page 5
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Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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0 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 178 not signed on

Sponsors (0)

None.

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (178)

178 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 178 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety labor
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 251?
SB 251 is sponsored by Todd Johnson (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 251?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 06, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 251?
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